Franklin, H. Bruce (Howard Bruce), 1934-

Professor of English at Stanford, 1965-72 and Herman Melville scholar. Franklin was dismissed by the Stanford Board of Trustees in 1972.

From the description of H. Bruce Franklin collection, 1969-1980. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 503422572

Professor of English at Stanford, 1965-1972 and Herman Melville scholar.

From the description of Future perfect, ca. 1966. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122447867

Biographical/Historical Sketch

H. Bruce Franklin had been a member of the English Department faculty since he received his Ph.D. from Stanford in 1961. A highly regarded scholar of Melville, he received tenure in 1965. In his early career at Stanford, Franklin was not publicly involved with politics. He dates the beginning of his political commitment from 1966, when he taught at the Stanford-in-France campus. There he became acquainted with several Vietnamese students, and with them, founded a politically oriented free university in Paris. The controversy concerning Franklin's tenure began in 1971, when he allegedly participated in the heckling of a speech by Henry Cabot Lodge on January 11. The speech was cancelled, and President Lyman sent Franklin a letter of reprimand for his part in the disruptions. Franklin continued to participate in campus demonstrations, however and on March 22 of 1971 was charged by President Lyman for contributing to or inciting disruptions on four occasions: the Lodge disruptions on January 11; a White Plaza antiwar rally on February 10; the occupation of the Computation Center; and a nighttime rally on February 10 which led to subsequent acts of violence on the campus. He was tried before a faculty advisory board of seven full professors. The hearings lasted from September 28, 1971 to January 4, 1972, when the board recommended 5 to 2 that Franklin be fired. The board of Trustees finalized the dismissal on January 20, 1972.

From the guide to the H. Bruce Franklin collection, 1969-1980, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)